Maryland State Wire

• There are numerous allergies that can originate from indoor sources.
• Indoor allergens such as mold, dust, and pet dander can be common issues for allergy sufferers.
• An ENT specialist can provide treatment for individuals who may not be aware that they are struggling with allergies in their living space.

Year-round, indoor allergies can pose challenges, particularly in the winter, when you spend more time indoors. Dr. Jamie Oberman of Frederick Breathe Free said they always test for allergies and that there are easy treatment options.

"We always test. Not everybody who has inflammation has allergies, but you shouldn't always exclude that because if you do, it's easy to treat, and that's typically medically with antihistamines... but also conventional allergy immunotherapy, which includes subcutaneous injections," Dr. Oberman told Maryland State Wire.

Allergies stemming from indoor sources are activated by common allergens present in homes or other indoor settings, according to Very Well Health. Mold, dust mites, pet dander, and even cockroaches are among the typical culprits. Managing indoor allergies might prove more challenging than avoiding outdoor allergens, and their impact can be equally debilitating to patients.

To identify indoor allergies, WebMD suggests to keep track of when, where, and what you're doing when your symptoms worsen. Consider whether you were exposed to potential allergens. For instance, did your symptoms escalate following a basement flood, potentially leading to mold growth? Conversely, did your symptoms improve while you were on vacation? Providing this information to your doctor could assist in identifying your allergy triggers.

To diagnose allergies, doctors will review the patient's symptoms and medical history and then recommend either a blood test or a skin test, according to Web MD. For a skin test, the doctor will place a small amount of the allergen on the patient's skin, typically on the forearm or back. If the patient is allergic to that particular allergen, a small, itchy bump will appear.

Dr. Oberman earned his bachelor's degree from Boston College, as noted on Frederick Breathe Free's website. He pursued his graduate studies at Tufts Medical School through the Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program, a program similar to ROTC for aspiring medical professionals. After completing medical school, he began a career in the Navy, which spanned until his retirement in 2017, when he entered the field of comprehensive Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) medicine. He is currently the only physician performing balloon sinuplasty procedures in Maryland.